Weird pause-play-pause thing in my mpg's?

[NukeyDoo]

I am having an issue on 2 different computers. 1 is a 1ghz w/512 ram and the other is a 2ghz with 1gig ram.

An avi will play smooth, no problem. When I encode it to mpg2 and then play it in media player, it plays for about a half second, pauses frame for about a quarter second, over and over throughout the movie.

The odd thing is the same thing is also happening in a video game of mine, namely battlefield 1942. When I load into a game it does the same thing for about 5 minutes and then settles in and I can play fine again. It's only been noticed in these two things so far though.

I have scanned my computers using multiple packages of spyware scanners and virus scanners with newest definitions, and I get a clean bill of health.

Anyone have any ideas?

TIA

[Krispy Kritter]

Possibly a heavily fragmented HD. You could also check the video buffer setting in WMP. To rule out WMP altogether, use a different media player. Try VLC or MPC.